THE UK Government has refused to comment on the US imposing sanctions on two judges and two prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The move, which saw US secretary of state Marco Rubio accuse the top international court of “lawfare” against Israel, was widely condemned.
France’s government expressed “dismay” that a French judge was among those sanctioned, saying the US actions were "in contradiction to the principle of an independent judiciary".
United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the sanctions undermine the foundation of international justice, adding: "The [US] decision imposes severe impediments on the functioning of the office of the prosecutor."
And the ICC itself said it “deplores” the sanctions, calling them "a flagrant attack" against the independence of an impartial judicial institution.
However, the UK Labour Government has refused to say anything at all.
Asked for a statement in response to the US sanctions, the Foreign Office declined to say anything on the record.
Donald Trump’s administration has targeted Nicolas Yann Guillou of France, Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji, Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal, and Kimberly Prost of Canada, all of whom have been involved in cases linked to Israel and the United States.
The designations freeze any US assets the individuals may have and essentially cut them off from the US financial system.
"United States has been clear and steadfast in our opposition to the ICC’s politicisation, abuse of power, disregard for our national sovereignty, and illegitimate judicial overreach," Rubio said.
Canadian Judge Prost served on an ICC appeals chamber that, in March 2020, unanimously authorized the ICC prosecutor to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Afghanistan since 2003, including examining the role of US service members.
In February, when Trump threatened to sanction ICC officials who worked on cases against the US, the UK was one of 79 countries to sign a statement in support of the court’s independence.
"We reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality and integrity of the ICC," the statement said.
"The court serves as a vital pillar of the international justice system by ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes, and justice for victims."
At the time, the US also sanctioned British lawyer Karim Khan, the ICC’s chief prosecutor.
Khan had successfully sought an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Netanyahu, who is also accused of spearheading genocide in Palestine by international experts, has been defended by Trump’s administration.
The US president accused the ICC of having “abused its power by issuing baseless warrants” against Israeli ministers.
Netanyahu welcomed the US decision to sanction four further ICC officials.
Neither Israel nor the US are signatories to the Rome Statute which established the ICC.
